Thermal imaging, or thermography is a 'photographic' system using infrared radiation. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (approximately 0.9–14 µm). Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects above zero degrees kelvin. Thermal imaging therefore enables sight of one's environment with or without visible illumination.
As hotter objects emit more infrared radiation than cooler ones, thermal imaging therefore shows the variations in temperature (hence the name). When viewed through a thermographic camera, warm objects stand out well against cooler backgrounds. Persons, animals and objects emitting heat become clearly visible against the environment, whether in darkness or light. Consequently, thermal imaging has been extensively used by the military and security services, including IRIS, the International Reconnaissance and Security Service.
Thermal imaging has many other application. For example, firefighters use it to see through smoke and debris, locate persons trapped inside building, and to locate the base of a fire. Thermal imaging is also used by power lines maintenance technicians to find overheating joints and parts, a telltale sign of their failure, to eliminate potential hazards. Where thermal insulation becomes faulty, building construction technicians can see heat leaks to improve the efficiencies of cooling or heating air-conditioning.
The appearance and operation of a modern thermographic camera is often similar to a camcorder. Thermographic cameras are much more expensive than their visible-spectrum counterparts, and higher-end models are often export-restricted.
In The Goldilocks Game, Elf, the resident IRIS gadgets expert, incorporates a thermal imaging camera into the mask used by Tania Likamolova at the Imperial Ball she attends at the Catherine Palace in St Petersburg.
The mask incorporates special lightweight lenses hidden behind the eyeholes that drop down at the flick of a button on the mask's holding stick. Once the lenses are in place, the thermal imaging camera is activated, allowing Tania to view specific objects in the room or spy on unsuspecting individuals inconspicuously.
Find out how Tania uses this by clicking here.
